4. Spartanburg, S.C. The study also used results about the financial security of residents to calculate rankings.

4. Spartanburg, S.C. The study also used results about the financial security of residents to calculate rankings.

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 9 of 38

3. Redding, Calif., has this classic old theater but not much else in the way of well-being.

3. Redding, Calif., has this classic old theater but not much else in the way of well-being.

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 10 of 38

2. This huge traffic jam in Charleston, W.V., might be one reason why it is ranked second-worst place for well-being in the country out of the largest 189 metro areas.

2. This huge traffic jam in Charleston, W.V., might be one reason why it is ranked second-worst place for well-being in the country out of the largest 189 metro areas.

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 11 of 38

1. Huntington-Ashland W.V. Huntington mayor Steve Williams told WCHS8 it's frustrating to hear the news of the ranking.
"It's just downright aggravating, because I know what we have, we all
know what we have here." less

1. Huntington-Ashland W.V. Huntington mayor Steve Williams told WCHS8 it's frustrating to hear the news of the ranking.
"It's just downright aggravating, because I know what we have, we all
know what we ... more

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 12 of 38

The Gallup-Healthways study ranked the well being of the largest 189 metro areas using a phone survey of 500,000 people.

The Gallup-Healthways study ranked the well being of the largest 189 metro areas using a phone survey of 500,000 people.

Photo: Gallup-Healthways

Image 13 of 38

The Gallup-Healthways study ranked the well being of the largest 189 metro areas using a phone survey of 500,000 people.

The Gallup-Healthways study ranked the well being of the largest 189 metro areas using a phone survey of 500,000 people.

Photo: Gallup-Healthways

Image 14 of 38

Lack of access to fresh produce was just one thing residents were asked about when researchers called.

Lack of access to fresh produce was just one thing residents were asked about when researchers called.

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 15 of 38

Low-ranked cities need more outdoor living and healthy behaviors.

Low-ranked cities need more outdoor living and healthy behaviors.

Photo: Wiki Commons

Image 16 of 38 |
The Top Ten Worst & Best

Here are the Top Ten worst and best of the bunch states in terms of wellness.

States in the Deep South fared poorly on the Well-Being Index while states in the Great Plains fared the best. Texas finished about middle of the pack, ranked No. 21 – a slight improvement from No. 27 in each of the past two years. less

Overall Trends

States in the Deep South fared poorly on the Well-Being Index while states in the Great Plains fared the best. Texas finished about middle of the pack, ranked No. 21 – a slight improvement from ... more

Photo: Healthways

Image 38 of 38

Beaumont among nation's worst areas for well-being

1 / 38

Back to Gallery

Beaumont has been named among the worst cities in the nation for well-being, according to a national survey just released.

The Gallup-Healthways study is based on phone calls to residents asking them to answer questions about the quality of life in their area.

Everything from financial security to work environments, physical and emotional health and access to healthy food are included in the questionnaire.

For the second year in a row, the Beaumont-Port Arthur area came among the lowest ranked places: 184 out of 189 metro areas.

Conversely Austin-Round Rock with its bike friendly, healthy eating and outdoor lifestyle came in at number 30, the highest spot for any Texas city.

Researchers argue that overall well-being of the population is key to national growth.

"Increased well-being is vital to improving the physical, emotional and financial health of Americans," said Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index in a news release. "Communities that score high in well-being have achieved success in creating environments where people can live their best lives."

The news was met with consternation by some Beaumont residents who say people should go there and see for themselves what Southeast Texas is like.

"I really don't see anything negative," local resident Jean Davis told 12News. "I think it's a nice place to live and people that don't like it or disagree should come check it out."

Others said they fear nearby industry does have a negative impact on health.

"I got breast cancer after moving here and I work at a hospital," B. J. Scott said. "I see other patients with cancer and I think it might be environmentally related."

Gallup-Healthways say the study is not designed to criticize but to help shape communities and formulate policies to promote well-being.

"Policies that nudge people into healthy activities - where it's easy to walk to the store, bike to a friend's house, get access to fresh produce, and be surrounded by healthy-minded, supportive friends are ones that make healthy choice also the eay choice," said New York Times best selling author Dan Buettner.

Top of the list were Provo-Orem, Utah, which has the lowest self-reported smoking rate in the nation, and Boulder, Colo., the only city in the country with an obesity rate below the national target of 15 per cent.

Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown made it to number 60 while Texas overall came in with a similarly mediocre ranking of 21 out of 50 states.

The survey also painted a grim picture for young men, confirming what many mothers and girlfriends bemoan, that 18-29 year old males are the worst at taking care of themselves.

Blue collar young men earning under $36,000 were the most likely to be obese, smoke, not go to the doctor or dentist, not have health insurance at all and be disastified with their jobs.

The best cities for well-being in the nation were:

Provo-Orem, Ut.

Boulder, Colo.

Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.

Honolulu, Hawaii.

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Naples-Marcos Island, Fla.

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Calif.

San Fransisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.

Lincoln, Neb.

Latest from the Chron.com Homepage

Click below for the top news from around the Houston area and beyond. Sign up for our newsletters to be the first to learn about breaking news and more. Go to 'Sign In' and 'Manage Profile' at the top of the page.